Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 22:1-34; Isaiah 15:1-16:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Hebrews 12:15 

Before there is a root there needs to be a seed. What is the seed that develops into bitterness? Often bitterness is the result of a hurt that one has experienced. If my heart harbours hostility it will be fertile soil for a hurt to germinate into bitterness. We all get hurt one way or another at times, but how can I prevent my heart from becoming bitter? Our verse teaches us to look diligently at the grace of God. As we appreciate the forgiveness we’ve received, it will become easier to forgive others who have hurt us. —Sid Halsband

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, in a believer’s ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away our fear. —John Newton 

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 20:1-21:45; Isaiah 14:1-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. Job 4:5 

Job was a good man who gave excellent advice but until he suffered himself, his advice was head knowledge only. The Lord allows suffering and sorrow to befall his dear people at times so they have the moral right and authority to give authentic help and words of wisdom. When they say “I know” they really mean it. Never, if possible, minister beyond your experience. —Brian Russell

Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer. —J. S. Scriven

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 18:1-19:51; Isaiah 13:1-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Being born again, I the sinner died with Christ, now the risen Christ lives through me. God has exchanged my old life for His. Living by faith it is not my will but His. His goals, ambitions, and desires are now mine. It is Christ’s power not mine. I depend upon Him. What an incredible exchange for us. Not I but Christ. May it be evident in us today. —George Ferrier

As lives the flower within the seed, as in the cone the tree,
So, praise the God of truth and grace, His Spirit dwelleth in me. —Daniel W. Whittle 

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 16:1-17:18; Isaiah 11:1-12:6; 1 Thess. 2:13-3:13

There came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head. Mark 14:3
The love of God is shed abroad (poured out) in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us. Romans 5:5

Such a box of ointment, worth almost a year’s pay. But she poured it all out on Him whom her soul adored. But God outdoes Mary. When we were helpless sinners, God gave His Son (Rom. 5:6, 8, 10). Now that we are His, He pours out His love upon us. He does not ration it drop by drop but like Mary, lavishes His love upon us. Our response should be to give Him the very best we have. —David Croudace

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure.
His power has no boundary known unto men. —Annie Flint

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 14:1-15:63; Isaiah 10:5-34; 1 Thess. 1:1-2:12

Shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Matt. 6:30
Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?…there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26
O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Matthew 16:8

The Lord rebuked the disciples three times because of their lack of faith. Each one could be seen as touching on the three areas that make up our beings: body, soul, and spirit. Shall He not take care of our every bodily need? Shall He not give our souls a “great calm” when we are in distress? Shall He not forgive us and free our guilty spirits? May we ever have eyes to see His faithfulness. —Tom Steere

Faithful amidst unfaithfulness; ‘mid darkness only light,
Thou didst Thy Father’s name confess, and in His will delight. —J. Deck

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 13:1-33; Isaiah 9:8-10:4; Luke 24:36-53

Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day. Genesis 41:9

Never underestimate the timing of God. Two years before, Joseph had met Pharaoh’s butler for the first time in prison. Joseph hoped this man would be the means of his escape, but for two years the butler forgot him. Then at just the right time and in just the right place, the butler remembered Joseph. The Lord’s timing is perfect. Into the mind of the butler rushed the memory of Joseph’s interpretation of his dreams, and in a moment Joseph’s long night of trial was over. The same could happen for you today. —Shane Johnson

Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still, my heart and tongue employ. —Tate and Brady

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 11:1-12:24; Isaiah 8:5-9:7; Luke 24:13-35

And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel. Judges 2:7

Yesterday’s blessings are good to ponder and learn from—but we need faith that demonstrates a living hope for the future too. Teaching and essential. But challenging them to seek God and experience Him personally is even more critical. Faith that is based on ancestry will grow cold and sterile. Faith that is based on one’s own relationship with God will be alive. Which faith are you living today? Which faith
will be your children’s experience? —Deborah Manera

I do not want merely to possess a faith,
I want a faith that possesses me. —Charles Kingsley

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 10:1-43; Isaiah 7:1-8:4; Luke 23:47-24:12

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. Acts 8:26

Following a prolific time of blessing while preaching in the crowded city of Samaria, Philip the evangelist was obedient to Divine direction which took him to a desert wasteland. His time in that place resulted in one soul being saved and baptised. If, in glory, we were to ask Philip, “Was it really worth being in the desert for that experience of being used of God?”, I’m sure the response would be, “I’d have willingly spent all my life in the desert to win one soul!” Do we have the same passion? —Dan Coulson

O teach me what it cost Thee to make a sinner whole,
And teach me Saviour, teach me, the value of one soul. —Lucy Bennett

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 9:1-27; Isaiah 6:1-13; Luke 23:13-46

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Mark 11:23

Mountains are barriers to progress and must be seen here metaphorically as obstacles to the will of God. Whenever we try to make forward progress with the gospel, all sorts of barriers seem to hinder. The only way to remove them is through believing prayer. So our daily challenge is to seriously pray for God’s work to prosper. —Paul Young

Peter, though confined and chained, prayer prevailed and brought him out;
When Elijah prayed, it rained, after three long years of drought. —Newton

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 8:1-35; Isaiah 5:1-30; Luke 22:54-23:12

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

Believing is a matter of one’s heart. The inner part of belief is love. As we view what He has done for us, we love the Lord and believe in Him. The outer part of belief is obedience. If we love the Lord we will obey Him. When we love and obey Him, He abides in us and we experience growth and joy. —Ken Gunnell

When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word;
What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will;
He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey! —John Henry Sammis